IMHO, what's killing Hollywood is the existence of the PG-13 rating. They try to squeeze every bit of sophomoric vulgarity they can into movies without hitting an R rating in the hopes of geting the 10 to 13-year-old crowd into the film. On they other hand, they think an R will hurt their box office receipts, so they neuter adult-oriented themes and make what could otherwise be intelligent films aimed at an adult audience into weak bastardized failures that bore adults and annoy concerned parents whose kids happen to see them.
R and PG needed to remain totally separate realms of filmmaking - PG-13 blurs the distinction, to the detriment of both types.
they other hand, they think an R will hurt their box office receipts, so they neuter adult-oriented themes and make what could otherwise be intelligent films aimed at an adult audience into weak bastardized failures that bore adults and annoy concerned parents whose kids happen to see them. Hollywood can make adult-themed movies without excessive violence and vulgarity. They made plenty of movies in the past with controversial themes. The movies may have been more genteel and discreet with the subject matter, but no one got grossed out. 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof' is one that comes to mind.